In 2020/21, there were 70,055 public elementary schools across the United States, and 23,519 public secondary schools. Private school figures were unavailable in that year.

In 2021, about 1.5 million students were enrolled in private high schools or similar institutions in the United States. There were significantly more students enrolled in public high schools across the United States, at 15.4 million students.

This Public Schools feature dataset is composed of all Public elementary and secondary education facilities in the United States as defined by the Common Core of Data (CCD, https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/ ), National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, https://nces.ed.gov ), US Department of Education for the 2017-2018 school year. This includes all Kindergarten through 12th grade schools as tracked by the Common Core of Data. Included in this dataset are military schools in US territories and referenced in the city field with an APO or FPO address. DOD schools represented in the NCES data that are outside of the United States or US territories have been omitted. This feature class contains all MEDS/MEDS+ as approved by NGA. Complete field and attribute information is available in the ”Entities and Attributes” metadata section. Geographical coverage is depicted in the thumbnail above and detailed in the Place Keyword section of the metadata. This release includes the addition of 3065 new records, modifications to the spatial location and/or attribution of 99,287 records, and removal of 2996 records not present in the NCES CCD data.

In 2022, there were over **** million students enrolled in public high schools in California, the highest figure in the United States. This is in comparison to the District of Columbia, which had ****** students enrolled in public high schools.

This Private Schools feature dataset is composed of private elementary and secondary education facilities in the United States as defined by the Private School Survey (PSS, https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/), National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, https://nces.ed.gov), US Department of Education for the 2017-2018 school year. This includes all prekindergarten through 12th grade schools as tracked by the PSS. This feature class contains all MEDS/MEDS+ as approved by NGA. Complete field and attribute information is available in the ”Entities and Attributes” metadata section. Geographical coverage is depicted in the thumbnail above and detailed in the Place Keyword section of the metadata. This release includes the addition of 2675 new records, modifications to the spatial location and/or attribution of 19836 records, the removal of 254 records no longer applicable. Additionally, 10,870 records were removed that previously had a STATUS value of 2 (Unknown; not represented in the most recent PSS data) and duplicate records identified by ORNL.

United States US: School Enrollment: Secondary: Male: % Net data was reported at 89.513 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 87.832 % for 2014. United States US: School Enrollment: Secondary: Male: % Net data is updated yearly, averaging 87.442 % from Dec 1987 (Median) to 2015, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 89.513 % in 2015 and a record low of 85.450 % in 2002. United States US: School Enrollment: Secondary: Male: % Net data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Education Statistics. Net enrollment rate is the ratio of children of official school age who are enrolled in school to the population of the corresponding official school age. Secondary education completes the provision of basic education that began at the primary level, and aims at laying the foundations for lifelong learning and human development, by offering more subject- or skill-oriented instruction using more specialized teachers.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

The National Center for Education Statistics' (NCES) Education Demographic and Geographic Estimate (EDGE) program develops annually updated point locations (latitude and longitude) for public elementary and secondary schools included in the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD). The CCD program annually collects administrative and fiscal data about all public schools, school districts, and state education agencies in the United States. The data are supplied by state education agency officials and include basic directory and contact information for schools and school districts, as well as characteristics about student demographics, number of teachers, school grade span, and various other administrative conditions. School and agency point locations are derived from reported information about the physical location of schools and agency administrative offices. The point locations in this data layer were developed from the 2021-2022 CCD collection. For more information about NCES school point data, see: https://nces.ed.gov/programs/edge/Geographic/SchoolLocations. All information contained in this file is in the public domain. Data users are advised to review NCES program documentation and feature class metadata to understand the limitations and appropriate use of these data.

Employment statistics on the Public Schools industry in the US

Public schools have managed to maintain revenue growth despite significant shifts in funding, enrollment and parental preferences. Class sizes are shrinking every year as birth rates drop and the high school retention rate stagnates, straining revenue as smaller schools see lessened funding from governments. Public schools have contended with heightened competition from alternative education options, especially homeschooling and private institutions, as parents seek more personalized educational experiences. States have increasingly adopted school choice systems, allowing parents to use public funds or tax credits to pay for private schooling. The Trump administration has taken steps to promote these programs even more and has proposed establishing a federal voucher system. Despite heightened competition and a rigorous competitive atmosphere, strong per-pupil funding amid strong state and local budgets has buoyed public schools. Public schools' revenue has been climbing at a CAGR of 1.4% to an estimated $1.0 billion over the five years through 2025, including a rise of 0.9% in 2025 alone. Governments fully fund public schools. Support from state and local governments is especially vital, as they provide nearly nine-tenths of public schools' revenue. Despite a slight dip in 2022, strong tax income pushed up government funding for primary and secondary schools by 6.2% in 2023. These resources are enabling public schools to invest in tutoring and counseling to improve their educational outcomes and better compete with alternative primary and secondary schools. Public schools also used funds to help transition to online and augmented education and have avoided taking on further losses as shrinking class sizes leave them without pressure to continue purchasing new laptops or tablets. Still, public schools are not profitable and largely operate at a loss every year. Public schools are set to face a continued drop in enrollment as well as intensifying competition. To sustain revenue and support, schools will focus on retaining students and improving academic outcomes despite potential federal funding changes. The expansion of school choice programs will compel public schools to enhance their quality and offer additional services like after-school programs to sustain enrollment and win parental support as families gain more access to private schools. Still, charter schools will leverage their unique value propositions to remain competitive and buoy enrollment in the public school system. Public schools' revenue is set to stagnate, swelling at a CAGR of just 0.2% to an estimated $1.0 billion through the end of 2030.

In the United States, more students tend to be enrolled in public schools than in private schools. In 2022, about 15.8 million students were enrolled in public high schools, compared to 1.36 million who were enrolled in private high schools.

The Colleges and Universities feature class/shapefile is composed of all Post Secondary Education facilities as defined by the Integrated Post Secondary Education System (IPEDS, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/), National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, https://nces.ed.gov/), US Department of Education for the 2018-2019 school year. Included are Doctoral/Research Universities, Masters Colleges and Universities, Baccalaureate Colleges, Associates Colleges, Theological seminaries, Medical Schools and other health care professions, Schools of engineering and technology, business and management, art, music, design, Law schools, Teachers colleges, Tribal colleges, and other specialized institutions. Overall, this data layer covers all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and other assorted U.S. territories. This feature class contains all MEDS/MEDS+ as approved by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Homeland Security Infrastructure Program (HSIP) Team. Complete field and attribute information is available in the ”Entities and Attributes” metadata section. Geographical coverage is depicted in the thumbnail above and detailed in the "Place Keyword" section of the metadata. This feature class does not have a relationship class but is related to Supplemental Colleges. Colleges and Universities that are not included in the NCES IPEDS data are added to the Supplemental Colleges feature class when found. This release includes the addition of 175 new records, the removal of 468 no longer reported by NCES, and modifications to the spatial location and/or attribution of 6682 records.

The Condition of America's Public School Facilities, 1999 (FRSS 73), is a study that is part of the Fast Response Survey System (FRSS) program; program data is available since 1998-99 at . FRSS 73 (https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/) is a cross-sectional survey that collects and report data on key issues at public elementary and secondary schools in the United States. The sample for FRSS 73 included approximately 1000 public elementary, middle, and high schools. District personnel who were familiar with the condition of schools completed questionnaires for each sampled school in their districts. The study's weighted response rate was 91 percent. Key statistics produced from FRSS 73 provide information on the pervasiveness of air conditioning, the number of temporary classrooms, the number of days particular public schools were closed for repairs, planned construction, repairs, and additions, long range facilities plans, the age of public schools, overcrowding and practices used to address overcrowding, estimated costs for bringing facilities to a satisfactory condition, and the overall condition of roofs, floors, walls, plumbing, heating, electric facilities, and safety features.

Number of Businesses statistics on the Public Schools industry in the US

In 2022, there were total ****** public elementary and secondary schools in the state of California. Texas, New York, Illinois, and Florida rounded out the top five states with the most public elementary and secondary schools.

Comprehensive dataset of 456 High schools in Kansas, United States as of July, 2025. Includes verified contact information (email, phone), geocoded addresses, customer ratings, reviews, business categories, and operational details. Perfect for market research, lead generation, competitive analysis, and business intelligence. Download a complimentary sample to evaluate data quality and completeness.

Comprehensive dataset of 711 High schools in Arizona, United States as of July, 2025. Includes verified contact information (email, phone), geocoded addresses, customer ratings, reviews, business categories, and operational details. Perfect for market research, lead generation, competitive analysis, and business intelligence. Download a complimentary sample to evaluate data quality and completeness.

This dataset provides information on 150 in Alaska, United States as of June, 2025. It includes details such as email addresses (where publicly available), phone numbers (where publicly available), and geocoded addresses. Explore market trends, identify potential business partners, and gain valuable insights into the industry. Download a complimentary sample of 10 records to see what's included.

In the 2021/22 academic year, there were 1,870 public special education schools across the United States. In the same academic year, there were 90,503 regular public schools across the United States.

Snapshot img

North America Virtual Schools Market Size 2025-2029

The virtual schools market in North America size is forecast to increase by USD 2.24 billion billion at a CAGR of 14.2% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the need for cost-effective teaching models and the emergence of E-learning via mobile devices. The increasing popularity of open-source learning content is another key trend fueling market expansion. With budget constraints and the desire for flexible learning options, virtual schools offer an attractive solution for students and educators alike.
This shift towards virtual education is transforming the education landscape, presenting both opportunities and challenges.Staying abreast of these market dynamics is essential for stakeholders looking to capitalize on the potential of this rapidly evolving sector.

What will be the Size of the Market During the Forecast Period?

Request Free Sample

The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing adoption of online collaboration tools and educational innovation. Virtual school management systems facilitate online school choice for students, enabling personalized instruction and improved student retention. Educational research highlights the effectiveness of digital accessibility and virtual learning technology integration in enhancing learning outcomes. Student engagement strategies, such as educational video and interactive simulations, are essential components of virtual school design. The future of education lies in the development of digital learning ecosystems, which incorporate online reputation management, equity in education, and learning analytics. Virtual schools require robust online learning infrastructure to support student support systems and ensure digital accessibility for all students.
The integration of learning technology and online learning platforms into virtual schools is crucial for delivering effective instruction and promoting student success. Virtual school governance is a critical aspect of the virtual schools market, ensuring the provision of high-quality education and addressing the digital divide. Online learning platforms must prioritize student engagement and provide effective student support systems to mitigate potential challenges and promote positive learning experiences. The use of virtual schools and online learning infrastructure offers significant benefits, including increased flexibility, accessibility, and personalized instruction. However, challenges remain, including the need for effective online reputation management and ensuring equity in education.The market will continue to evolve, with a focus on developing innovative learning technologies and digital content to enhance the virtual learning experience.

How is this market segmented and which is the largest segment?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Type

  For-profit EMO
  Non-profit EMO


Application

  Elementary schools
  Middle schools
  High schools
  Adult education


Delivery Mode

  Online Courses
  Learning Management Systems
  Mobile Learning
  Virtual Classrooms


Subject Area

  STEM
  Business & Management
  Healthcare
  Creative Arts


Deployment Type

  Cloud-Based
  On-Premises


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada
    Mexico

By Type Insights

The for-profit emo segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

For-profit Education Management Organizations (EMOs) are private entities that offer administrative and operational support, curriculum development, and teacher training to schools or districts while aiming for profit generation. These organizations have extensive experience and expertise in delivering virtual education programs. They invest in advanced technology infrastructure, learning management systems, and instructional resources to create engaging virtual learning experiences for students. For-profit EMOs prioritize personalized learning, student engagement, and parent involvement through digital textbooks, online curriculum, and interactive digital learning platforms. They also emphasize student success by providing online tutoring, adaptive learning, and data analytics. Virtual classrooms and mobile learning enable students to access education from anywhere, while virtual field trips offer immersive educational experiences.

For-profit EMOs build educational partnerships to expand their offerings, including virtual labs, online libraries, and virtual school networks. They also focus on online marketing, branding, and student recruitment to attract a diverse student population. Higher education institutions collaborate with for-profit

This dataset provides information on 24 in New York, United States as of June, 2025. It includes details such as email addresses (where publicly available), phone numbers (where publicly available), and geocoded addresses. Explore market trends, identify potential business partners, and gain valuable insights into the industry. Download a complimentary sample of 10 records to see what's included.